Warning light device having a switch operator



Nov. 24, 1964 a. D. MOMAINS 3,153,855

WARNING LIGHT DEVICE HAVING A swncn OPERATOR -2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 15, 1960 IN VEN TOR.

BILLY D. MMAINS s u m i l Uzi/L iv a D \"l@ilIIilifllbvw-" J 1 ATTORNEYS Nov. 24, 1964 B. D. MOMAINS WARNING LIGHT DEVICE HAVING A SWITCH OPERATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 15, 1960 mmvroa BILLY o. M MAlNs Gm *fim AT TOR N EYS United States Patent 3,153,856 WARNHNG LlGlll'li Dill EOE HAVING A SWillCll-ll OPERATOR Billy D. Mel /lama, Anaheim, Calif., assignor, by means assignments, to Master Specialties Company, Gardens, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Nov. 15, 1960, Ser. No. 6l5 ll Gains. (@l. Beth-378) This invention relates to an illuminated signal or warning device which also functions as a switch and has means for easily replacing lamps therein.

Warning light devices of the general nature with which the present invention is concerned are frequently used in aircraft to indicate conditions of abnormality, such as malfunction of landing gear mechanism or a loss of oil pressure, for example. A lamp within such a device can either light when an abnormal condition occurs or can burn steadily and be extinguished when an abnormal condition occurs. In either case, the device must be highly reliable. Toward this end, warning devices are frequently provided with test circuits which are built into or associated with the device and by means of which circuits the lamps can be tested easily to determine if a lamp is extinguished because of a change in a condition to which it is intended to be responsive or merely because of a failure of the lamp. Because lamps used in these devices frequently burn out, they must be replaced easily from the front of the panel and must also be replaced quickly, so that the status of the condition being monitored by the device can be determined with minimum interruption.

Warning devices having a rotatable lamp capsule by which rebulbing is facilitated are known in the art.

The present invention provides a warning device as set forth above which includes the usual provisions for easy and rapid lamp replacement with the further provision of a built-in switch which is operable from an obverse face of the device. The switch can be used to produce a change in the condition being monitored or can be used to control a separate condition. The switch also can be used to close. a test circuit to determine if the warning lamp itself is burned out.

Because such warning devices are frequently mounted in panels, in cockpits of planes, for example, only the fronts or obverse faces of the devices are accessible so that the switch actuating means and lamp replacement mechanism must all be operable and observable from the front. To accomplish this, each device includes a rotatable casing or capsule carrying a slidable member with an obverse face which can be depressed to actuate a switch located at the opposite end of the device, which casing or capsule also can be rotated to expose a rear portion of it and to enable the replacement of lamps carried therein. The switch in the device is actuated through a switch pin and rod, the former of which also locks the casing against accidental rotation which might occur through vibration, jarring, or by being bumped, for example. The switch pin can be released to enable the casing to be rotated simply by pulling outwardly on the obverse face portion of the slidable member. Thus, this face portion can be depressed to actuate the switch and can be pulled out to release the pin and to enable the casing to be rotated. Thus, all functions of the device can be carried out from the front which, as discussed above, is essential for panel-mounted devices of this nature.

It is, therefore, a principal object of this invention to provide an illuminated warning device having a lamp and indicia capsule that is not only rotatable for re-bulbing, but which comprises a portion which can be reciprocated as a switchoperator, together with a novel means to prevent accidental displacement of the capsule.

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Still another object of the invention is to provide an illuminated warning device having a lamp and indicia capsule mounted in a casing in such a manner thatit can be rotated as a unit for re-bulbing, and isso constructed that a reciprocable. central portion can be used as a switch operator, said central portion having a detachable operating connection with a non-rotatable housing portion to prevent accidental displacement.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, reference being made ,to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a warning device embodying the principles of the invention, the device being mounted in a panel; I

FIG. 2 is a view in vertical cross section of the warning device shown in FIG. 1, the section being taken along line 2--2. of FIG. 1; 7

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of the warning device with a slidable switch operating member thereof pushed inwardly;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view, partially in cross section, of the warning device with the slidable member pulled outwardly;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side View with part of the housing removed and with the hollow, rotatable lamp capsule rotated to expose lamps carried therein; and

FIG. 6 is a detailed View in perspective of the slidable member and of a switch operating pin carried thereby.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, an illuminated warning device 10, embodying the principles of the invention, is mounted in an opening of a panel 12, all but a face of the device being located behind the panel. The device includes a housing 14 behind the panel and a frame 16 in front of it with any suitable means employed to attach the device to the panel 12.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3, the warning device it) has an internal structure consisting of three basic parts: an indicating lamp capsule 18, a switchactuating assembly 2i), and a switch assembly 22. p The indicating lamp capsule 18 includes a rotatable casing 24 which is connected to the housing 14 through axles 26 (FIGS. 1 and 5) located on each side thereof. The

- casing has a rounded contour to enable rotation thereof without interference with the housing 14. Openings 28 are formed in the bottom of the casing 24 to receive indicating lamps 3t Either two or four lamps are usually used in the device with four being employed in the instant; case; these lamps can be wired individually, in pairs, or in a single circuit. The lamps 30 are held in the casing 24 by forked or bifurcated contact arms 32 which engage metal shells of the lamps St] to both hold them in place and to provide electrical contact therewith. The arms 32 are electrically connected with a metal bushing 34 located centrally in the bottom of the casing 24.

The present invention provides, within the casing 24, a slidable member 36 having a locking pin 38 depending therefrom and extending through the bushing 34 in the casing 24. Openings &6 are located in the bottom of the slidable member 36, on each side of longitudinal and lateral center lines thereof, to receive bulb portions of the lamps 30 which extend partially into the interior of the member 36. In the: present instance the'interior of the device is partitioned otf into four compartments by a longitudinal partition 42 (FIG. 1) and a lateral partition as (FIGS. 1-3), therebeing a lamp 3!) for each of these compartments. A transparent sheet 46 extends across the interior of the member 36 above the partitions 42 and 44 while a plurality of small compartment sheets 48 are held in the member 36 immediately under the transparent sheet 46. The compartment sheets 48 can be translucent, colored, or imprinted with suitable indicia to provide many different effects, depending upon the re quirements of the particular installation.

,The sheets 4-6 and 43 are retained by a slidable cap 50 (FIGS. 1-4) slidably engaged in grooves 52 (FIG. 4) of the member 36. The cap 5% can be removed from either end of the member 36 to provide access to the sheets 46 and 48 for replacement purposes so that the indicia may be changed. The cap 5% also has end pro jections 54 (PEG. 1) located above fingernail recesses 56 formed in an upper edge of the rotatable casing 24. The projections 54 enable the cap 56 and, hence, the slidable member 36 to be pulled outwardly from the flush or normal position shown in FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIG. 4, for the purpose of enabling the cap 5% to be removed from the member 36 and for a more important purpose, to be discussed subsequently. In accordance with the present invention the slidable member 3d can also be pushed inwardly with respect to the rotatable casing 24 to the position shown in FIG. 3 simply by pressing on the obverse face of the member 36, and more specifically on the outer sheet 46, for use as a switch operator as will be subsequently described.

The switch-actuating assembly includes a switch rod 58 extending upwardly into a tubular guide member 66 which is slidably held in a bushing 62 of a dividing wall 64, the tube es being urged upwardly by means of a spring 66 maintained in compression between the bushing 62 and a shoulder 68 of the tube 6i). However, upward movement of the tube 6? is limited by a suitable stop such as a stop 7% attached to the tube 69. A tapered flange 7.2 is located on an upper portion of the guide tube 69 for a purpose to be discussed subsequently. The switch rod $3 has a lower insulating tip 74 surrounded by a spring 76 which is maintained in compression between a partition '78 and a spring pin 8% attached to the rod 58 to urge the rod upwardly, upward movement being limited by a suitable stop pin 82.

The insulating tip 74 of the assembly 2% is in contact with a switch connector 84 of the diagrammatically illustrated switch assembly 22, the connector 34; providing an electrical connection between terminals 36 and 88 when the rod 58 and the tip 74 are pushed downwardly, to cause the connector 84 to contact the upper ends of the spaced and normally insulated terminals 56 and 38. The connector 84 is normally maintained in an upper position by a spring 95 so that the circuit between terminals 66 and S8 is open. It is to be understood, however, that switches of many types can be used in place of the specific switch assembly 22 which is only shown for purposes of illustration. The switch can be of the type which opens when depressed or closes when depressed, as well as magnetic switches which employ magnetic coils around intermediate parts of the switch rod 58.

In the present instance, the switch assembly 22 is actuated when the slidable member 36 is pushed inwardly to the position shown in FIG. 3, at which time the locking pin 38 is pushed inwardly, further into the tubular guide member 6t), to move the switch rod 58 downwardly and to cause the tip '74 to move the connector 84 downwardly. The switch assembly can be used to close a test circuit to determine if the lamps 39 are functioning properly, or can be used for any other purpose.

As previously indicated, the lamps can be wired to operate individually, in pairs, or all together to indicate a particular status of a condition or several conditions being monitored. The lamps 34 can be designed to light upon the occurrence of a certain change in the condition or to burn steadily and to be extin uished upon the occurrence of the change, by way of example. In many instances, the lamps operate in pairs so that it one should burn out, it will be apparent on the obverse face of the device. In the present instance, the right hand lamp 3%, as shown in FIGS. 2-4, is connected through its center Contact to a spring terminal $2, a threaded connector 94,

and a terminal strip 96 extending beyond the lower end of the housing 24 and spaced from the switch terminals 86 and 8d. The center contact of the left hand bulb in FIGS. 24 is similarly connected through another of the springs 92 and another of the connectors 3 4 but, in this instance, is connected to a terminal 93 which is partially hidden. The lamps iii! are grounded through the arms 32 and the bushing 34, the metal guide tube 6%, the bushing 62, and a common terminal strip 160. Thus, all of the lamps 3t?- have a common ground while each has a separate hot terminal.

Because the lamps Stl burn out on occasion and because interuption of the warning device it must be kept to a minimum, the lamps 36 must be easily and quickly replaced frorn the front of the panel 12. This is accomplished by rotating re casing 24 to an inverted position shown in FIG. 5 to provide access to the lamps 3t and to enable them to be removed and new ones substituted therefor. The right hand lamp in PEG. 5 is shown in a partially removed position which is accomplished simply by grasping a flanged portion of the lamp casing and pulling it outwardly.

Ordinarily with a warning device of this type, it is possible that the casing 24 might be accidentally rotated due to vibration or jarring and thereby cause the lamps 34) to be separated from the contact springs 2 and thus cause the lamps to be extinguished and produce a false reading. The warning device in accordance with the invention prevents such possibility from occurring. This is accomplished by means of the locking pin 38 which not only moves the swtich rod 58 but also positively prevents rotation of the casing when the slidable member 35 is in its normal position, with the obverse face substantially flush with the panel 12 (FIG. 2). In this position, the locking pin 33 extends partially into the interior of the tubular guide member 6d thereby preventing any lateral movement of the pin 38 and, hence, the casing 24. When it is desired to rotate the casing id to change any of the lamps 3d, the cap fit is pulled outwardly by means of its proicctions 54 to its outer position as shown in FIG. 4, in which position the locking pin 33 is pulled out of the tubular guide member 6% and no longer provides apositive connection therewith, thus enabling the casing 24- to be rotated. In the present instance, after the cap 5% has been pulled outwardly and the pin 35; separated from the guide member the casing 24- is rotated slighdy by push ing laterally on t e cap 563 until the pin is out of alignment with the tube. The cap 5% can then be pushed in slightly to clear the opening formed by the frame 16 and the casing is then easily rotated to the position of FIG. 5. Of course, depending upon the particular warning device, it is not always necessary to push the cap back inwardly in order to clear the frame opening.

After the lamps have been changed, the casing 24 is again rotated to the position shown in FIG. 2. During rotation to the original position, the end of the locking pin 3% may project somewhat beyond the casing 24-, gen orally to the extent shown in FIG. 5. This is particularly true when the cap as and the member 36 have been pushed back inwardly to clear the frame 16. Normally, if the pin 38 were projecting from the casing 24 when it is rotated to its original position, the pin would hit the side of the guide member so and prevent any further movement until the member 36 were pulled outwardly once again. To prevent the necessity of again pulling out the member 36, the tapered flange '72 is provided at the up per end of the guide member 6% so that the locking pin 38, if projecting when the casing 24 is rotated to its original position, will strike the flange and push the guide member 6t and the flange downwardly by a camming motion. The guide member dti thereby is forced downwardly until the pin 38 is again aligned with the center of the guide member as whereupon the spring as snaps the guide member upwardly once again to the position shown 5 in FIG. 2 and the casing 24 is again locked securely in place.

In order to prevent the member from possibly being vibrated or jarred to its outer position and thus unlock the capsule 2d, the locking pin 33 is provided with an elongated notched or flat portion 1% (H6. 6) near the point at which it extends from the member as and also with an annular groove 1% near the tip thereof. The notch and the groove are engaged by a U-shaped spring 1% which is fastened in a position adjacent the bottom of the member 36 as shown best in FIG. 4. An end of the spring 1% lies in the elongated notch or recess 1% when the member an and the pin 33 are in either the flush or the inner position. Hence, the spring 1% does not establish any appreciable resistance .to movement of the member 36 and the pin 33 between these positions. However, when the member 36 and the pin 3-? are pulled to the outer position (FIG. 4-), then the end or" the spring member 1% must ride upwardly past the end of the elongated notch 1622 which provides considerable resistance so that the member cannot move outwardly without considerable force being applied to it. When the casing 36 is pulled to its outer position, the spring member 11% engages t e annular groove 1AM in the tip section, as shown in FIG. 4, and prevents the member 36 from accidentally vibrating or otherwise moving back to its inner position until suchis desired and the member 36 is actuah 1y pushed in to overcome the resistance of the spring 1%.

In a broader sense, a device according to the invention includes a housing having a rotatable lamp-carrying capsule therein, in combination with a slidable member in the capsule which may be used as a switch actuator, a I

6 Various modifications of the above-described embodi merit of the invention will be apparent to those skilled "in the art, and it is to be understood that such modifica- "tions can be made without departing from the scope of the invention if within the spirit and tenor of the accom- V panying claim.

Whatl claim is:

A warning light device comprising an outer housing, a lamp-carrying capsule, means rotatably mounting said capsule within said housing, a hollow member slidably mounted in said capsule. said member carrying a pin movable therewith, a switch in said housing spaced from said capsule, means in said housing forming a tubular guide between said capsule and said switch, a switch rod eifective to operate said switch and slidably mounted in said guide, said hollow member having a normal position in which said pin extends into said guide and is in contact with said switch rod, said hollow member having an outer position far her away from said switch in which said pin is out of said guide and spaced from said rod, and said hollow member having an inner position closest to said svitch in which said'pin displaces said rod toward said switch to engage and operate said switch and resilient means fixed to said housing with said tubular guide for ursing an end of said guide toward said capsule to resist rotation of said capsule.

References tilted in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

